The tower fell back into grim silence. After the deaths of Lina, Kyle, and the others who had been under the monster's control, nothing remained but bodies and destruction. Jack stood motionless amid the chaos, feeling a deep emptiness flare up inside him.
He walked slowly to where Lina and Kyle lay. Looking at them, he was overwhelmed by guilt and grief, but breaking down was a luxury he could no longer afford.
"Grief won't save you, or them," came the parasite's cold voice in his head. "You're alive, they're dead. Accept that and use your strength to avoid joining them."
Jack ignored the parasite, focusing on his fallen friends. He owed them a final respect, even if it was a small, last duty. Grabbing a shovel with difficulty, he began digging graves beside the tower. With each shovelful of earth, his emotions seemed to sink deeper within him. Jack was burying not only his friends but pieces of his own past.
He carefully laid Lina and Kyle's bodies into the graves, covering them with soil. For a few minutes, he just stood there, staring at the fresh mounds, trying not to dwell on the fact that they'd died because of him.
"Goodbye," he whispered, closing his eyes and clenching his fists.
Then his gaze shifted to the bodies of the four who had died after the monster's demise. Their faces were frozen in agony, yet now they lay motionless, like broken, useless dolls. Jack understood they too were victims, but he couldn't feel for them the same as he had for Lina and Kyle.
"They're of no use to you. But their weapons might be," the parasite's mocking voice echoed again. "Use them, as they would have used you."
Jack moved to their bodies and began gathering the knives they had carried. He knew that in this world, every item could prove useful, especially a weapon. The simple, bloodstained knives seemed now to be the only legacy of those who once wielded them.
He slipped the knives into his belt, his body still trembling with exhaustion. Everything around him had become a dark reminder that survival was now his only goal.
"Now you're ready to move on. Leave the past behind, Jack."
The next morning, Jack was ready to move forward. He felt his body filling with a strange energy, a gift from the parasite, which grew with each monster he killed. However, he knew this power was still insufficient to become truly strong. The parasite had repeatedly hinted that Jack was too weak to face higher-ranked foes, and that only spurred him to action.
"If you want to survive, you'll need to hunt the weaker ones to grow stronger. It's the simple law of survival—kill or be killed," the parasite stated.
"You should find lone F-rank monsters. They'll be your first prey. I'll help you locate them," the parasite continued, and Jack felt a strange shift in his vision.
"Focus, and I'll show you how to see the world of energy," the parasite commanded.
Jack closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, concentrating. The world before him changed—he now saw energy rings surrounding every living thing. These rings pulsed red, and the more energy something held, the brighter the rings glowed. He spotted five red circles in the nearby forest, each varying in size. Four were smaller, but one was larger and glowed more intensely.
"These smaller circles are F-rank creatures. That's your quarry for today. Start with them. Hunt them and kill them, and I'll share their energy with you when you extract the crystals."
Jack nodded. He was not yet accustomed to this new sight, but he knew it would become an invaluable tool. F-rank monsters were his starting point—not too dangerous, but no easy opponents either.
"Now go. Your hunt begins," the parasite declared, and Jack headed toward the forest, feeling energy building within him in anticipation of the upcoming battle.
He knew that hunting would become his new reality. To survive, he would have to kill. And now he had the power to do it.
Jack walked through the dense forest, feeling his newfound strength and tension pulsing inside him. His vision, now enhanced thanks to the parasite, allowed him to see the world from a different perspective. The red rings pulsed in the distance, reminding him of the battle ahead. Jack focused on one of the smaller circles moving slowly among the trees. This was a lone F-rank monster—his first target.
As he approached the creature's location, Jack slowed his steps, feeling his heart race with anticipation. The monster turned out to be a large creature resembling a giant wolf, its body covered with thick, rough hide resembling armor. Bright yellow eyes glowed in the dim light, and fangs gleamed against the forest greenery.
"That's a shield wolf. Its back is armored, but its underbelly is vulnerable. Approach carefully and aim for its stomach," the parasite's voice advised in Jack's mind. "Don't rush; use the knives you picked up. Strike quickly and decisively."
Jack drew one of the knives, feeling its cold metal handle in his hand. Moving forward, he tried to make no noise, though his movements were now far nimbler than before. His new reflexes and strength had made his body more suited for combat. He felt his muscles tense, his entire body primed for action.
The monster didn't notice Jack at first. The shield wolf was busy foraging among the underbrush, but the moment Jack took a decisive step forward, the creature lifted its head, turning its glowing eyes toward him.
In that instant, Jack lunged forward without hesitation. His speed surprised even him—he moved faster than he could have imagined. The monster let out a low growl and leaped to meet him, jaws full of sharp teeth.
But Jack managed to dodge, rolling to the side and rising to strike with his knife. The blade slid across the monster's tough armor, leaving it unharmed. Quickly, Jack adjusted his tactics.
"You're aiming too high. Its weak spot is lower, where there's no armor," the parasite reminded him calmly, and Jack immediately adjusted his stance.
The monster lunged again, swinging its claws in an attempt to strike Jack. Yet in Jack's eyes, its movements seemed slow, as if everything were playing out in slow motion. He dodged again, slipped beneath the creature's belly, and with one swift motion, plunged his knife into the soft flesh under the shield wolf's stomach.
The monster howled in pain, trying to swipe Jack away with its claws, but Jack already knew the fight was nearing its end. He pulled the knife from the wound and delivered another precise blow, this time straight to the creature's heart. Blood spurted onto the ground, and the monster collapsed, the earth trembling beneath it. Its howl faded into a rasp, and then silence fell.
Jack stood over the defeated beast, his breath heavy but his spirit strangely satisfied. He had just defeated an F-rank creature, and it had been easier than he expected. His newfound power allowed him to act faster, more precisely, and with greater confidence.
"Not bad for a first try," the parasite remarked with a hint of praise. "But this is only the beginning. Now, take the crystal from its heart. This is your reward."
With trembling hands, Jack leaned over the shield wolf's body. He could still feel the creature's lingering energy.
Making a careful incision near its heart, Jack located the hard object inside and pulled it free. The crystal glowed with a dim red light, pulsing as though it were alive. Jack felt his fingers tingling as he touched it.
"Give it to me, and I'll share some of its power with you," the parasite whispered.
Without hesitation, Jack offered the crystal to the parasite. In an instant, he felt a surge of energy rush through his body. It was like an explosion inside him, as though his muscles and bones were infused with raw strength. He felt stronger, faster, more assured.
"This is just the first step, Jack. But you've done well. Keep hunting, and soon you'll reach E-rank. You're closer than you think," the parasite added, a slight mockery in its tone, as if to push him further.
Jack took a deep breath, looking around. His first battle had been a success, but an entire hunt lay ahead of him. And he was ready.
After his victory over the first monster, Jack felt his confidence growing. His movements had become quicker and smoother, and the strength he had gained from the crystal gave him a sense of power. He now knew he could handle F-rank monsters with relative ease, and it filled him with determination.
"You're beginning to understand how this works. But don't think you're invincible. Each fight demands focus and precision," the parasite's voice reminded him. "Today's goal is to kill four more. Move quickly; don't waste time."
Jack nodded slowly, understanding that he needed to continue hunting to build his strength. Activating his vision once again, the red circles pulsed in the forest, beckoning him toward his next targets.
The next monster that caught Jack's attention was a massive black cat with extended claws that glinted like blades. Jack watched it from behind a tree, studying its movements. The parasite stayed silent, allowing Jack to plan his attack independently.
Jack crept closer, tuning into his instincts, which guided his every step. When the cat suddenly leaped toward him, Jack dodged with a precision that even surprised himself. His body moved faster than ever, his knives slicing through the air, landing deep cuts in the creature's weaker points. A few swift blows—and the monster fell to the ground, defeated like his first prey.
"You're learning, but remember: not all monsters will be this predictable," the parasite reminded him as Jack, slightly winded, extracted another crystal from the dead creature's body.
The next two battles with F-rank monsters proved equally successful. Jack became increasingly attuned to his new abilities, feeling his body grow more flexible, his movements more precise, his decisions almost instinctive. Each fight was faster and more efficient, his reflexes sharper with every kill.
Jack felt himself changing, adapting to this brutal world where survival meant strength and the willingness to kill. And with each monster he defeated, he knew he was inching closer to becoming the powerful force he needed to be.
The final monster of the day proved to be a greater challenge. It was a massive beast, resembling a bear with enormous claws and thick hide, resilient enough to withstand typical weapon strikes. But Jack knew he had the parasite's edge; his knives, while simple in appearance, had become an extension of his own strength.
He crept closer, waiting for the creature to get distracted. As soon as the monster turned its head, Jack lunged, his knives flashing in the light of the setting sun. He aimed with precision at the weak points in the creature's defenses. His movements were swift, precise, and ruthless. The monster tried to counterattack, swinging its claws, but Jack had already learned to anticipate its moves. He dodged easily, moving like a shadow, and finished the fight with a powerful strike to the monster's heart.
"Five monsters in a day. You're growing stronger," the parasite commented as Jack retrieved the final crystal. "Do you feel the energy filling you? It's the greatest pleasure in this world, though if you're not careful, it'll consume you."
Jack's breathing was labored, but his eyes shone with resolve. He felt a surge of power after each battle, and as he absorbed the last crystal, he realized his strength had grown significantly. Yet with this strength came a new awareness—the parasite was beginning to embed itself more deeply in his mind.
"Yes, I feel it. But how much more do I need to reach E-rank?" Jack asked, wiping the blood from his knives.
"At this pace, you'll reach E-rank in five days. But remember: it's not just about accumulating energy. You must learn to control your body and weapons. Power is only part of the equation. Precision and skill are what matter."
As the day came to an end, Jack returned to the tower, where he laid out his knives, inspecting them after the battle. The parasite spoke again, its tone more serious this time.
"You're strong, but not precise. Your strikes are too forceful and don't always hit the mark. If you want to become a true warrior, you'll need to learn to control your body and your weapon."
Jack frowned, realizing the parasite was right. Though his strength had increased, his fighting style still relied heavily on instinct and brute force rather than precision and strategy. He fought like a predator, but lacked discipline.
"What do you suggest?" he asked, sitting on a rock and rubbing his tired hands.
"I'll teach you how to move better in combat. Your strikes should be precise and efficient. Your body is your instrument, and you must learn to wield it properly. We'll start with basic dagger handling. You use it often, but don't fully understand its best applications."
Jack pulled out one of the knives and examined it carefully.
"Hold the knife lower, closer to your center. When you attack, your hand should move quickly, without wasting energy on wide swings. Focus on making all movements coordinated and deliberate." The parasite began explaining the basics of dagger handling, showing Jack how to grip the weapon and shift his weight correctly during attacks.
Jack followed the instructions, practicing the movements. He noticed how gradually his strikes became more precise and quicker. Every step now had a purpose, every motion aimed at maximum efficiency.
"Why didn't you tell me this before the battles with the monsters?" Jack asked, practicing a series of moves.
"I needed to understand your fighting style first. I'm not a teacher. But now that I've seen how you fight, I can help you improve," the parasite replied with a smirk in Jack's mind. "The more precise you are, the faster you can kill. Which means you'll conserve more energy. Right now, you face one enemy at a time, but in the future, you'll have to contend with entire armies."
Jack understood that the parasite was guiding him not only toward greater strength but along a path where each step brought him closer to merging with this creature. He knew his dependency on the parasite would continue to grow, yet he had no other choice.